Pinoy pug KOs Tanzanian

MACAU – Reigning IBF Pan Pacific super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas, kept his win run going as he knocked out Tanzanian Fadhili Mahija in the third round at Cotai Arena of The Venetian here yesterday.

Ancajas, the lone Filipino fighter in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri showdown, dominated Mahija from the start of their scheduled eight-rounder with solid combinations to the head and body then came through with a jarring left straight that sent the Tanzanian down.

The hapless Mahija failed to get up at the count of 10, prompting Thai referee Prinit Prayadsab to call off the bout at 1:48 of the third.

The 22-year-old pride of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, who snared the IBF Pan Pacific belt with a stunning first round KO of Petchwanchai Sor Visetkit last May 3 at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City, now holds a 22-1-1 win-loss-draw record, including 14 KOs. Mahija fell to 15-6-4 with seven KOs.

It was Ancajas’ seventh straight knockout victory with the previous one also via first round TKO of Rochmand Santoso three months ago at the Almendras gym in Davao.

In his Cotai Arena debut last Feb. 22, he also made an impression when he stopped Thai Inthanon Sitchamuang in two rounds.